title: α-Terpineol reduces nociceptive behavior in mice.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  α-Terpineol (TPN) is a monoterpenoid alcohol present in the essential oils of several species of the Eucalyptus genus (Myrtaceae).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  TPN was assessed for its antinociceptive activity in rodents.
  
  
  METHODS
  The antinociceptive effect of TPN was examined using the acetic acid writhing reflex, formalin, glutamate, and capsaicin-induced nociception tests.
  
  
  RESULTS
  TPN produced a significant (P < 0.01 or P < 0.001) analgesic effect by reduction at the early and late phases of paw licking and reduced the writhing reflex in mice (formalin and writhing tests, respectively). In the glutamate test, all doses of TPN produced significant (P < 0.01) nociceptive protection. When the capsaicin-induced nociception test was conducted, TPN produced dose-related inhibition of the nociceptive behavior. In addition, the results of a hot plate test showed central analgesic properties for TPN (P < 0.01 or P < 0.001). Such results were unlikely to be provoked by motor abnormality.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results suggest that TPN might represent an important tool for management and/or treatment of painful conditions.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Fisiologia, Universidade Federal de Sergipe (DFS/UFS), Aracaju-SE, Brazil. lucindo@pq.cnpq.br
authors.forename: Lucindo J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Quintans-Júnior
authors.forename: Makson G B
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.forename: Michele F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Santana
authors.forename: Marilia T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Santana
authors.forename: Adriana G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Guimarães
authors.forename: Jullyana S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Siqueira
authors.forename: Damião P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: De Sousa
authors.forename: Reinaldo N
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Almeida
mesh_terms: D000700:Analgesics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D000081005:Cyclohexane Monoterpenes; D053138:Cyclohexenes / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D039821:Monoterpenes / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000379:methods*; D045442:Rotarod Performance Test / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics; D000081005:Cyclohexane Monoterpenes; D053138:Cyclohexenes; D039821:Monoterpenes; C016775:alpha-terpineol